ITIN for Immigrants

If you earn money in the U.S. as a resident, citizen or visitor, you have to file income taxes. If you can’t get a Social Security number, you’ll need an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) to file your taxes and claim important tax credits.

You, your spouse or any of your dependents who can’t have a Social Security number must apply for an ITIN in order to be included on a tax return.

If you have dependents living in Mexico or Canada and you send them more than 50 percent of the money they need to live, you can apply for an ITIN for each of them and claim them on your tax return. This may help you get a bigger tax refund or may decrease the amount you owe in taxes.

Original passport (or a notarized or certified copy of the passport), - OR - Two of the following unexpired documents (including at least one photo identification and an identification from your country of origin):

If you are reporting wages that you earned, you should include the Social Security number listed on the W-2 or 1099 forms you received when you complete the wages section on your tax return. The person who has the ITIN will receive credit for the income.